Stage Door News
Stage Door News
TORONTO (March 14, 2012) – 2012 marks the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, a significant and defining event in Canadian history. Luminato 2012 looks at historic and artistic shifts; revolutions and transformations that have rippled through history in tandem with those caused by artists.
Inspired by the anniversary, Luminato proudly presents a luminous large-scale art installation with THE ENCAMPMENT from Thomas+Guinevere; a moderated lecture entitled THE US HAS COVETED CANADA SINCE THE WAR OF 1812; the world premiere of a new family opera about the iconic Canadian heroine Laura Secord with LAURA’S COW; and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra performing its first outdoor concert in nearly a decade including Tchaikovsky’s rousing “1812 Overture” and a world premiere by Philip Glass entitled “Overture for 2012”.
THE ENCAMPMENT June 8–24, Fort York National Historic Site Marking the bicentennial of the War of 1812, THE ENCAMPMENT is both a luminous large-scale art installation and a metaphoric archaeological dig—one that unearths not physical artifacts but long-buried shards and strands of human experience. Conceived as a ‘temporal village’ by Thomas+Guinevere (artists Thom Sokoloski and Jenny-Anne McCowan), the installation is comprised of 200 A-frame tents pitched on the grounds of Fort York, which fell to U.S. forces during the war. Each tent contains an installation by one of 200 Creative Collaborators, and creates a visual representation of an aspect of the war’s civilian history, gleaned from research into real-life stories of family, love, loss, survival, patriotism, collaboration, and betrayal. THE ENCAMPMENT turns a historic site into sculpture on a grand scale, vividly evoking the War of 1812’s personal toll.
In support of THE ENCAMPMENT as part of Luminato’s War of 1812 events, each evening spontaneous musical performances and multilingual storytelling around picnic tables and bonfires will draw the audience into social exchanges about the war’s cultural implications. Produced in Association with the City of Toronto; Fort York Historic National Site.
THE US HAS COVETED CANADA SINCE THE WAR OF 1812 The William Thorsell Forum June 8, TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, Koerner Hall In 1812, having declared war on Britain and its Empire, the United States sent troops into Canadian territory. The ensuing war marked a watershed in cross-border relations: Canada has never since been invaded by its more powerful neighbour. Or has it? Some argue that the invasion continues to this day—not with muskets and cannons but with political ideas and cultural values, movies and television, and fast-food chains and resource- hungry corporations.
The US has coveted Canada since the War of 1812 promises a lively debate exploring whether Canada is really under threat and, if so, what can be done about it. Arguing the case for concern is Stephen Clarkson, author and Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the University of Toronto. Taking the opposing view is J.L. Granatstein, a professor of Canadian History who taught at York University for 30 years. He served as Director of the Canadian War Museum from 1998 to 2000. Author and historian Michael Bliss moderates. Produced in association with the Royal Ontario Museum.
LAURA’S COW: THE LEGEND OF LAURA SECORD June 6–10, Enwave Theatre Luminato will celebrate the mythology and the reality of iconic Canadian heroine, Laura Secord, in a new opera for all ages with LAURA’S COW: THE LEGEND OF LAURA SECORD. Commissioned and produced by the 200-voice CANADIAN CHILDREN’S OPERA COMPANY, LAURA’S COW is a musical extravaganza of the War of 1812’s most famous story: overhearing billeted American officers discussing a surprise attack, the wife of a wounded Canadian militiaman undertakes a grueling trek through enemy-occupied territory to warn the British garrison at Beaver Dams—disguising her journey’s true intent by travelling with her cow. Guest artists include baritone John Fanning and students of the First Nations School of Toronto. Music by Errol Gay with words by Michael Patrick Albano.
SYMPHONIC FINALE June 17, David Pecaut Square The War of 1812, and how its transformative effects and influences are being felt two centuries later on both sides of the border, remains a powerful through-theme this year, woven throughout Luminato. Fittingly, the free closing night concert from the TORONTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, presented by Luminato at the festival Hub and hosted and conducted by TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian, serves as the theme’s glorious final salvo. The program includes performances of both the Canadian and U.S. national anthems and concludes with Tchaikovsky’s rousing “1812 Overture.” And Philip Glass has been commissioned to create a brand new composition in commemoration of the war’s bicentennial. Entitled “Overture for 2012”, it has been described by Glass as, “celebratory, loud and exciting.” The balance of the hour-long concert will showcase celebrated works by prominent Canadian and American composers, including Aaron Copland, Howard Shore, John Williams and Malcolm Forsyth.
LUMINATO 2012 Commemorates the Bicentennial of the War of 1812
LAURA’S COW: THE LEGEND OF LAURA SECORD
June 6 and 7 @ 10:00 AM, June 6 @ 1:00 PM – preview shows June 7, 8, 9, 10 @ 7:30 PM June 9 and 10 @ 2:30 PM Enwave Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West 1 hour, without intermission Tickets: $35; $20 senior; $15 student/child For tickets, call 416-366-0467 or visit canadianchildrensopera.com Presented in Association with the Canadian Children’s Opera Company
THE ENCAMPMENT A Thomas+Guinevere Creation June 8–24, 2012 Fort York National Historic Site, 250 Fort York Blvd 7:30–11:00 PM with no admission charge Created by Thomas Sokoloski and Jenny-Anne McCowan Conceived by Thom Sokoloski Produced by Sherrie Johnson Productions Commissioned by the City of Toronto and Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity, for the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812 THE ENCAMPMENT is featured as part of Luminato's Education and Community Outreach Program Presented in association with the City of Toronto; Fort York Historic National Site. With additional support from the Hal Jackman Foundation
THE US HAS COVETED CANADA SINCE THE WAR OF 1812 The William Thorsell Forum Stephen Clarkson vs. Jack Granatstein Moderator: Michael Bliss Friday, June 8 @ 7:00 PM TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, Koerner Hall, 273 Bloor Street West 1 hour and 30 minutes $30 Produced in association with the Royal Ontario Museum
SYMPHONIC FINALE Overture for 2012 by Philip Glass 1812 Overture by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Performed by TSO Music Director Peter Oundjian and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra Sunday, June 17 @ 7:00 PM David Pecaut Square FREE New work by Philip Glass co-commissioned by the City of Toronto; Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity; Maryland State Arts Council; Toronto Symphony Orchestra; and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Marin Alsop With generous support from Chetan and Clara Mathur
The presentation of the TSO has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.
The sixth edition of Luminato takes place from June 8–17, 2012. Tickets for all Luminato 2012 programs will be available for sale on April 14. For details, please visit luminato.com.
ABOUT LUMINATO
Luminato is Toronto's fifth season when the festival stages the best of our city and invites the world to celebrate and transform it with us. Luminato is an annual multi-disciplinary celebration of theatre, dance, music, literature, food, visual arts, film, magic, and more. For more information, please visit luminato.com.
Luminato gratefully acknowledges the generous support and vision of its Founding Luminaries, SuperNova donors, and Patron Circle Members. The Festival would not be possible without the support of our Partner in Creativity, L’Oréal Canada. Luminato also acknowledges the support of its Founding Government Partner, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, and the City of Toronto.
Luminato Partners: L’Oréal Canada, TELUS, Kia Canada, President’s Choice, National Bank, Manulife Financial, VISA Infinite.
Major Media Partners: Toronto Star, CBC, The Globe and Mail, Cineplex Media, St. Joseph Communications. List represents commitments as of March 14, 2012.
2012-03-14
Toronto: Luminato commemorates the bicentennial of the War of 1812